Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected from Sunday's rivalry matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and decided to throw the double birdie to the Lambeau Field crowd on his way out.
Having time to reflect on the situation, Branch regrets having done so.
“That's not something I want to show or have people notice about me,” Branch told reporters via ESPN. “That was just the heat of the moment for me, and I apologize to everyone who saw that and it won't happen again.”
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Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch reacts after being disqualified by the referee during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (IMAGE)
Branch was ejected due to a hit to the helmet of Packers receiver Bo Melton on an incomplete pass by quarterback Jordan Love.
After the league reviewed the hit at its video replay headquarters, they alerted officials in Lambeau that Branch's hit was deemed serious enough for an immediate ejection.
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Branch argued with officials after the ejection, and added an additional 15 yards for another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for throwing the bird at fans.
“I definitely agree with the decision. My aim was obviously high, but it was never my intention to aim for the head,” Branch said. “To move forward I have to move my goal downwards.”
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) talks with field judge Jonah Monroe (120) and field judge Karina Tovar (91) after being disqualified from the game during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field. (Images by Jeff Hanisch-Imagn)
Lions head coach Dan Campbell believed Branch's punishment was due to the game being nationally televised as “America's Game of the Week.”
“You have to get used to that,” Campbell said. “When you play primetime games, New York is going to look at all of those. They don't care about the 1 o'clock games. They do those games in primetime. So understand the situation.”
Perry Fewell, the NFL's senior vice president of officiating, told a reporter that multiple angles of the hit were reviewed and it was believed Branch could have taken an alternate route to hit Melton.
“He clearly had the opportunity to avoid the head and neck area,” Fewell said.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch speaks with assistant linebackers coach Shaun Dion Hamilton after being disqualified by the referee during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (IMAGE)
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The Lions were still able to beat the Packers, 24-14, to move to 7-1 and remain atop the NFC North standings. If Green Bay beat Detroit at home, they would have assumed first place in the division.
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